Netanyahu Seeks Post-Midterm Iran Strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing the White House to approve a new wave of strikes on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections.

Two regional officials and a third person familiar with the matter said the push for military action has accelerated following Tuesday's vote. Netanyahu and his far-right allies lost their parliamentary majority in last week's elections, creating a political need for a unified emergency government.

The diplomatic track continues in parallel with the military pressure. Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks with Iranian officials last week to advance a framework for the ceasefire. The proposed deal would have Iran cease attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. More negotiations are scheduled for this week.

Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump over the weekend to push for a quick but extensive air campaign. A person briefed on the call said Trump did not commit to military action. Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had a very good call with Netanyahu and that they discussed Iran, but he provided no further details.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that the administration prefers a diplomatic solution. He stated that Trump has incredible confidence in military action if needed but has not yet made a decision. The White House did not directly respond to questions about the weekend discussion.

Other U.S. allies in the Middle East are warning against further strikes. A third regional official said additional attacks could destabilize the region and encourage Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen to increase attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping. Iran-backed militias in Iraq could also enter the conflict.

Iranian officials are preparing for both war and diplomacy. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, met with military chiefs to discuss an immediate response to any threat from the U.S. or Israel without geographic limits. He urged an expansion of the list of potential targets. Khamenei has not been seen publicly since the opening strikes on Feb. 28 killed his father.

The economic pressure continues as well. October recorded the most attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz since March. Gulf nations have spent billions of dollars to boost defense capabilities. China will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November to support dialogue.

Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser to the United Arab Emirates, told attendees at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain that the U.S. and Iranian stances remain far apart. He warned that if these positions are not bridged, the worst outcomes must be considered. Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the next escalation will be more dangerous and destructive.